To celebrate Phi Beta Kappa’s 50th year at St. Olaf College in 1999-2000, the Delta Chapter launched a $25,000 fund drive to establish “The Phi Beta Kappa–Delta of Minnesota Endowed Fund.” The College deemed the Phi Beta Kappa endowment to be “an excellence fund” and included contributions to it in its “Fram! Fram! Forward St. Olaf!” 125th anniversary fund drive.
Thanks to the hard work of Professor Emeritus Lowell Johnson ’52 and Paul H. Schmitt, St. Olaf’s Director of Planned Giving, the endowment was fully funded within a year. Its spendable earnings “are used to provide student initiates with membership certificates, to support outside speakers, to underwrite graduation and initiation receptions, and for such other activities and expenses deemed appropriate by the chapter or its officers.”
Contributions to the endowed fund are still welcome and may be sent by mail to the Planned Giving Office, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057. Specify that the donation is for Phi Beta Kappa on the memo line of your check or enclose a note if making a credit card payment by mail.
It is also possible to donate online: https://stolaf.wufoo.com/forms/give-online/
Again, specify Phi Beta Kappa in the text box.
The Phi Beta Kappa Room
At the time of the dedication of the Harold H. Ditmanson Addition in 1992, Room 420 in the English Department wing of Rølvaag Library was renamed “The Phi Beta Kappa Room,” and a handsome plaque was installed on the wall next to the door of the room.
Two years earlier Myron J. Fogde, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Olaf in the Class of 1955 and a faculty member at Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), had suggested the idea to chapter members Joan and Duane Olson; thanks to their efforts and the approval of St. Olaf President Melvin George, the Delta of Minnesota gained a meeting room that it could call its own.
1921
The story of Phi Beta Kappa at St. Olaf begins with George Spohn’s initial inquiry about the process of applying for a chapter.
1941
Registrar John Bly sends the General Report, eight volumes of material, with everything from staff salaries to final exams.
1941
Professor Bieberdorf’s General Botany exam and Professor Gulbrandson’s Elementary Norwegian exam were among the materials sent in support of St. Olaf College’s application.
1949